Addictive Recovery Potion (2)
Out of embarrassment, Yuria gripped Noel's hand roughly. There was a secret she could never tell Noel. Truth be told, she had never liked going out much. In fact, she hated it. It was only recently—precisely after the war ended and Noel returned—that she started to enjoy wandering the streets. Before that, she could never bring herself to like this village's streets. Ever since Noel had left to become a hero, the place had felt utterly empty.
Even after opening her potion shop here and establishing herself, she never grew fond of it. So she had holed up in the shop, throwing herself into work. She rarely stepped outside except to procure ingredients or make deliveries. But everything changed after Noel came back. For the first time, the village felt complete, like the missing piece had finally fallen into place. It didn't matter that Noel's appearance had changed so much. Even as a little girl, she was still Noel. If anything, this was a relief. Plenty of people never returned from the war against the Demon King. Just having her alive and back was something to be grateful for.
As if to make up for all the lost time they hadn't spent together, she dragged Noel around town, visiting every nook and cranny. That's when the village streets finally started to grow on her. Like the time they'd come shopping for clothes, or now. She loved having Noel in this village—more than words could express. But getting caught feeling this way? That would be mortifying. It was a secret she absolutely could not let slip.
Led by the hand by Yuria, they arrived at the busiest spot in the village. A large building stood in the central square, towering over everything around it.
"Here we are. We just need to stop by this place today."
She read the signboard in front of the main entrance.
Adventurer's Guild
"Here? Why the Adventurer's Guild?"
"This is our biggest client. They buy the most potions, and sometimes they even bring me rare ingredients."
It certainly seemed like an important trading partner. Potions would see the heaviest use here, no doubt.
"Remember this place. You'll be coming here a lot."
"O-okay."
Noel swallowed dryly. Entering such a massive building was a little nerve-wracking. She hadn't expected her errands to take her somewhere like this.
Yuria led the way confidently into the Adventurer's Guild. Noel stuck close behind her. Yuria made a beeline for the reception desk, standing before the woman there. She had a weary air about her, with deep, striking dark circles under her eyes.
"Ilene."
The woman jumped at the sound of her name and looked over.
"Huh? Oh, Yuria, you're here."
"It's been a while. How have you been?"
"How have I been? Don't ask."
Ilene slammed the stack of papers she was holding onto the desk.
"No matter how much I work, it never decreases. The more I do, the more piles up. I've been pulling overtime nonstop lately."
"Y-you've been working so hard."
"If I'd known it'd be like this, I never would've become a guild receptionist. I should've gone into business like you."
She poured out complaint after complaint. It seemed she just needed someone to vent to.
"Get me out of here... Please, just let me go home..."
"Telling me won't help..."
"Yeah... you're right."
Ilene slumped her head down. Despair radiated from her. Noel couldn't help muttering to herself.
"Guild receptionists have it rough, huh?"
Ilene snapped her head up at the murmur.
"Right? It's tough being a receptionist. That's why you gotta treat us nice."
"Y-yeah..."
"...So, who's the little miss?"
She'd finally noticed Yuria wasn't alone.
Only then did Yuria introduce her.
"This is Noel. She's staying at my place."
Ilene eyed her up and down slowly. Noel felt the sticky gaze, tensing up rigidly. It was like being inspected.
"......She's cute."
"Uh... y-yeah?"
The sudden comment caught her off guard. And this stranger felt way too familiar already.
Yuria chimed in enthusiastically.
"Right? Super cute, huh?!"
"Yeah, adorable! Who's this kid? I haven't seen her around the village before."
Noel took a step back. This woman gave off vibes that screamed stay away.
"Her skin's amazing! And that outfit's so pretty—are you some noble's daughter?"
"N-no. The clothes are from Yuria..."
Ilene shot up from her seat and approached step by step. Noel wanted to run, but it was too late. There was nowhere to escape inside the guild.
"Um... excuse me..."
"Can I touch you?"
"No?! Of course not! We just met!"
She waved her hands frantically in refusal. But Ilene didn't care. Noel shot Yuria a desperate pleading look.
"Can't be helped..."
Yuria sighed deeply, a faint smile tugging at her lips for a moment.
"You can touch her a little."
In a meeting room on the second floor of the Adventurer's Guild. Normally a break room for reception staff. Now, Noel sat there sipping tea. Snacks were laid out on the table too. But the situation wasn't exactly welcome. The tea and snacks were nice, but her companion? Not so much.
"...Sorry, okay?"
"Stay away. Being near you ruins my appetite."
The receptionist, Ilene, was really rubbing her the wrong way. So rude for a first meeting.
"I gave you tea and snacks. Those are all expensive stuff."
"Really...?"
Were they pricey? They did taste kinda fancy... But where did Ilene even get them? She didn't look loaded.
"Where'd you get all this?"
"From the guild master's desk."
Figures. Someone else's, as expected.
Noel sipped her tea silently. Ilene would take the heat. As an outsider, Noel wouldn't get in trouble.
"I wanna be friends with you, missy..."
"Ilene, you have no idea."
"Huh?"
"Noel needs delicate handling. More sensitive than a pubescent girl."
"Oh? Like that, huh?"
"The type who doesn't let anyone touch her easily. Like a flower with thorns."
They were chatting about her like she wasn't there. Yuria seemed extra chipper today. At this rate, they'd be stuck here forever. Noel wanted out now.
"Yuria. Let's go home. I wanna go back."
"Aw, so whiny. Why not hang out a bit longer?"
Ilene's gaze was suspicious—like a shady adult luring a kid somewhere quiet. She clearly wanted to grope Noel all over again.
"Actually, I don't have much to do at the guild today. Just came to make introductions."
"Introductions? To show off Noel?"
"Yeah. She'll be running errands here from now on."
"Nice! We'll see each other lots then?"
Noel did not want that. She hated errands anywhere, but here especially. If she had to come, she'd avoid Ilene and talk to someone else.
"Take care of her. I handle all potion-related stuff, so come find me when you're here."
......Crap.
Noel was stuck dealing with her.
Ilene extended her right hand. A handshake? Noel clasped it briefly and shook, then yanked her hand free. The quickest, most unpleasant handshake ever.
Ilene tsked regretfully. Then, as if remembering something, she asked abruptly.
"Oh, right. How's the potion shop these days? Any trouble?"
"Huh? Trouble?"
"It's been crazy. Because of the recovery potions."
Yuria's expression hardened at that. It twisted slightly.
Problems with recovery potions probably meant the addicts. Noel wasn't entirely uninvolved. She hadn't fully kicked the habit herself.
"The adventurers who fought in the Demon King's subjugation war. They're the issue."
Noel recalled quite a few adventurers had joined that war. They'd used tons of recovery potions too.
"I tell 'em to go easy, but they won't listen. Guzzling 'em like water."
"That's... serious. They can't do that. Their bodies won't hold up."
"Exactly... So we've been rationing them—just enough for real needs. Can't give out too much."
"Good call. That's the best approach."
Noel stayed out of the conversation, listening quietly. Her right hand twitched faintly, as if still trembling. She shoved it into her pocket hastily. No need to let Yuria see her getting anxious. She really wanted to leave now.
She glanced at the small window on the wall. The sun was setting outside.
"Yuria. Let's head back."
Yuria turned to her, met her eyes, and smiled softly.
"Yeah, let's go home."